★★★★★96.1% customer satisfaction · 1,250+ jobs since 2005 · up to 30-year guarantee
20+
Years protecting NE homes
1,250+
Damp jobs quoted since 2005
96.1%
Customer satisfaction
30yr
Guarantee on qualifying work
Penetrating Damp explained
What is penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp is water entering the building horizontally through walls, roofs or around openings — not from the ground. It's often caused by failed pointing, cracked render, defective seals or blocked guttering, and it typically shows as localised damp patches that darken after heavy North East rain. The fix is to identify and repair the exact point of water ingress, then dry and reinstate the affected wall.
Know the signs
Signs of penetrating damp to look for
Spotting it early keeps the repair small. These are the tell-tale signs in North East homes:
Damp patches that appear or worsen after rain
Localised staining on walls or ceilings (not a uniform tide mark)
Cold, wet areas around windows, chimneys or external walls
Blistering paint, damp wallpaper or a musty smell
Moss, cracked render or failed pointing on the outside wall
Common causes
Why penetrating damp happens
Cracked, hollow or sand-cement render trapping water
Failed or eroded mortar pointing on exposed elevations
Defective window/door seals and missing flashings
Blocked or leaking gutters, downpipes and overflows
Porous brickwork on weather-facing North East elevations
Our proven process
How we treat penetrating damp
Diagnosis first, then a lasting, guaranteed fix — never a sticking plaster.
Locate the source
We carry out a careful external and internal inspection to pinpoint exactly where water is getting in — guesswork costs money, so we diagnose first.
Repair the defect
Repointing, render repair, resealing, flashing or guttering work — whatever is letting water in gets fixed at the cause.
Protect the wall
Where exposure is severe, we can apply a breathable façade cream so the wall sheds water but can still ‘breathe’ and dry.
Dry & reinstate
Once watertight, we allow the wall to dry and replaster or redecorate as needed, then guarantee the work.
Get rid of penetrating damp for good
Book your free, no-obligation survey. We'll confirm the cause, give you a clear fixed price and back the work with up to a 30-year guarantee.
A 96.1% satisfaction rating isn't an accident — it's what happens when local specialists do the job properly, the first time.
★★★★★
“Dean was professional from start to finish and finished ahead of schedule — all backed by a 30-year guarantee. Couldn't recommend them more.”
ST
Sarah T.Newcastle upon Tyne · Verified customer
★★★★★
“Had tide marks creeping up the hallway for years. The survey explained exactly what was wrong and the price was fair. Bone dry now.”
MR
Mark R.Gateshead · Verified customer
★★★★★
“Black mould in the bedroom was making us ill. Honest advice, no scare tactics, sorted in two days. Brilliant local team.”
JP
Joanne P.Sunderland · Verified customer
Your questions, answered
Penetrating Damp FAQs
What's the difference between penetrating and rising damp?
Rising damp comes up from the ground and is limited to low-level walls with a clear tide mark. Penetrating damp comes in from the side through a defect in the building fabric, so the patch can appear at any height and usually worsens after rain. Our survey tells the two apart so you only pay for the work you actually need.
Can you fix the outside cause as well as the inside?
Yes. There's no point replastering inside if water is still getting in, so we repair the external defect — pointing, render, seals, flashing or guttering — before making good internally.
Will façade cream change how my wall looks?
No. A quality breathable masonry cream soaks in and dries invisibly, leaving the brick or stone looking the same while repelling rainwater for years.
Do you guarantee penetrating damp repairs?
Yes — qualifying remedial work is covered by a written guarantee, and we'll explain exactly what is covered before any work starts.
This is a lead generation website. By submitting your details you are simply being passed to a reputable, independent tradesman.
Any work carried out is paid directly to them, not to North East Damp Proofing.
